Category: Middle School

Spring Canvas Updates

This week Canvas released a few updates, mostly regarding Canvas New Quizzes.

In the Activity Log, instructors can view the Client IP address, Browser Session ID, for each question of a quiz. This update provides instructors with greater visibility into quiz activity, helping them verify student engagement and identify potential irregularities during quiz attempts.

When building a quiz in New Quizzes the Course Navigation and breadcrumbs display. Additionally, the Moderate tab and Reports tab are switched in the Quiz Menu. This update improves navigation and streamlines the quiz-building experience by providing consistent access to key tools.

Several updates to the New Quizzes Moderate Page enhance the instructor’s ability to manage accommodations during active quiz attempts:
- Instructors can add time to an active quiz attempt when moderating a New Quiz.
- In the New Quizzes Moderate Page:
  - The modal is renamed to Student Accommodation.
  - The student’s name is relocated to the body text.
  - A checkbox is added to apply changes to the current quiz attempt.
- The Moderation tray is renamed to In Progress Accommodation and includes the student’s name in the body text.
Note: The Apply these changes to the current Quiz and attempts as well checkbox is enabled by default.

Enhanced Rubrics

Canvas has been working on improving the rubric experience. They have added some functionality to make building and adjusting rubric easier. We have not yet turned on this updated functionality and are looking for feedback from heavy Canvas Rubric users about what they think and when we should turn it on in our district. One exciting reason to enable it is that students can now self-asses with the rubrics added to an assignment.

Please reach out to your TIS if you have an opinion about turning it on and if you would like a preview of the new experience.

Teaching in the Age of AI: Tools for In-Class Writing Practice

In today’s educational landscape, particularly with the increasing presence of AI writing tools, the value of short, focused writing activities (across the curriculum) conducted within the classroom and accompanied by immediate feedback cannot be overstated. These brief in-class exercises provide a crucial opportunity for students to practice and internalize writing skills in a controlled environment, allowing teachers to offer timely guidance and address misconceptions before they solidify.

There are many ways to integrate frequent, short writing reps with quick feedback. In many cases this can be achieved in Google tools or Canvas. However, the timely feedback part can be tricky. Luckily, there are some tech tools on the scene to help incorporate peer feedback and AI feedback, often in a gamified way. These three options are freemium products, they offer many core features for free and some paid upgrade options.

Bonus: Class Companion has M-STEP and AP test practice that may be helpful this time of year.

Feature	WeWillWrite	Short Answer	Class Companion
Core Functionality	Gamified, collaborative writing	Short-answer writing with gamified, peer feedback	AI-powered feedback and tutoring on assignments
Writing Approach	Short bursts, team-based, anonymous	Open-ended questions, justification	Varies by assignment type (short answer, essay, etc.)
Feedback Mechanism	Peer voting (think of a writing bracket)	Peer feedback based on customizable criteria	Instant AI feedback, AI tutoring, optional teacher feedback
Gamification	Strong emphasis through team challenges and competition	Present through activity modes (Pair It, All In, Battle Royale)	Less direct gamification, focus on engagement through AI support
AI Capabilities	Analysis of literary techniques, grammar, structure–available in the premium version	None explicitly mentioned for writing analysis	Strong focus on AI for feedback, tutoring, content generation, and integrity checks
Teacher Role	Facilitator of challenges, guides discussion based on AI insights, moderation	Creates questions, customizes feedback criteria, facilitates discussion of results	Creates/selects assignments, monitors AI feedback, provides additional guidance
Content Creation	Teacher-created or modified challenges	Teacher-created questions	AI-generated assignments, teacher uploads, built-in content library
Assessment Focus	Formative, emphasis on participation and peer learning	Formative, emphasis on peer evaluation and understanding of criteria	Formative and summative, emphasis on understanding and application with AI support
Reporting/Insights	Premium version offers student reports	Results page with peer feedback percentages, confidence ratings	Detailed insights on student strengths, weaknesses, engagement, and potential dishonesty (paid plans)

Reach out to a TIS for more information on how to get these up and running.

Artificial Intelligence

Alternative to Revision History Extension

We’ve recently learned that the Revision History extension has now moved to a paid subscription model.

We understand that free and accessible tools are crucial for educators, so we’ve been exploring alternatives. We recommend the Brisk Teaching extension as a potential replacement.

How to install brisk

Brisk Teaching’s free model currently includes the “Inspect Writing” tool. This feature allows you to gain valuable insights into a student’s writing process and can be a helpful tool in verifying authorship.

Beyond the Inspect Writing tool, Brisk Teaching offers a range of other features that you might find beneficial in your teaching. 5 Ways to Use Brisk

If you’re interested in learning more about Brisk Teaching and exploring its capabilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your TIS.

Classwize Update: Add and Remove Individual Students from a Focus & Pause a Focus

location to select specific students to a focus session

Our digital classroom management, software has introduced a few updates.

Apply Focus to Individual Students

You now have even more flexibility when working with Focus in Classwize. When applying a Focus, teachers can now select if they would like to apply it to the whole class or just individual students.

Teachers can also add or remove individual students to a Focus while their class is in progress, with just one click.

Has one student finished a test? They can be quickly removed from the Focus so they can switch to a different activity, ensuring they stay engaged while the rest of the students finish up.

Pause a Focus

Students in a Focus can also now be paused and unpaused, giving even more granular control during classes.

Would you like more information about Classwize? Check out the Classwize Tech Guide.

Classwize

Premium Google Tools Now Available for Students

new, premium Google tools available for students

In recent months, teachers have gained access to some new, premium Google tools. In these posts we mentioned that students do not have access to them, yet. We are glad to say that students should now be able to access these tools, notably:

Google Vids This tool is a powerful and easy video creation tool. Students can easily collaborate and share in the platform. It can be found in the “waffle.”
Screen Record in Slides: Google has an easy interface to record a screencast directly within Slides.
Students have access to smart chips and building blocks in Google Docs which may be helpful for project management.

Please reach out if you want to learn more.

Upcoming Changes to Google Products: CS First and Applied Digital Skills

Here are some updates regarding the future of two Google for Education resources many of you may be familiar with: CS First and Applied Digital Skills. Please read carefully to understand how these changes might affect you.

CS First is Being Turned Down

After many years of supporting computer science education, Google’s CS First will no longer be available after June 30, 2025.

Access to the website will end after June 30, 2025.
All data on the CS First website will be permanently deleted after this date. This includes account information and project data.
To preserve your work, you can save CS First projects by moving them to a personal Scratch account. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the CS First Help Center.
You can also download your course data as a JSON file via your CS First Profile before June 30, 2025.

Looking ahead, Google is supporting the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the development of a new curriculum called Experience CS.

Experience CS will be available to teachers in time for the 2025/2026 school year.
It will offer Scratch-based learning units in a safe and scaffolded environment for students aged 8-14 and will always be freely available.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation is committed to creating 18 new project-based learning units covering various topics and skills, aligned with national and state standards.
They will also provide professional development and support for teachers using Experience CS.

Link to FAQs

Applied Digital Skills Lessons Are Moving to a New Platform

Google’s Applied Digital Skills, which has provided valuable technology skills since 2017, is transitioning to a new Google for Education learning platform on June 30, 2025.

The existing Applied Digital Skills website will no longer be available after June 30, 2025. It will automatically redirect to the new Google for Education Learning Center.
No Applied Digital Skills accounts or data will be transferred to the new platform.
All account and data on the current site will be deleted after June 30th.
If you wish to retain any account information, you must download your data in JSON format before the transition date. You can do this by signing into your Applied Digital Skills account, selecting the “Profile” tab, scrolling down, and selecting “Download”.
Data being deleted includes teacher, student, and learner profiles, quiz and survey responses, created classes, class membership, certificates, and Google Classroom rosters synced with Applied Digital Skills.
Importantly, any projects students created using Google tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) will not be deleted.
While most popular lessons will be available on the new platform, some will be discontinued for quality purposes. A list of migrated lessons will be shared in the coming months.
You may want to download materials like lesson videos, starter projects, lesson plans, rubrics, or certificates from your favorite lessons on the current site before June 30, 2025.
The current teacher and student dashboard will not be available on the new website. Users are encouraged to use Google Classroom or their preferred Learning Management System (LMS) to share lesson links.
After June 30, 2025, you will be encouraged to create a new account on the new platform.
More details about the transition and getting started on the new platform will be shared in the coming months.

Link to FAQs

Please take the necessary steps to save your data and prepare for these changes before June 30, 2025.

Canvas New Quizzes Update: Multiple Selections in Hot Spot Questions

creating multiple hot spots

Summary

Instructors can enable multiple selections in Hot Spot quiz questions:

Instructors can define multiple correct hot spot areas.
Students can select multiple areas on an image in response to the quiz.
Autograding will evaluate the student’s selections based on the defined correct answers.
The feature supports regrading functionality.
User response attempts are limited to the number of hotspots set by the instructor.

Note: Questions made before this change support editing to accept multiple hotspots.

This update will be deployed on March 26, 2025.

Canvas

Alternative to Bitly

If you are someone who uses URL shorteners to easily share links out, you may have used Bitly to shorten them for free. Recently, Bitly announced that users will see advertisements along with the link. You probably don’t want students or parents to experience these ads. If you want an alternative, Edushare.ing may be for you.

The platform was created by Brent Warner, an educator himself, who understands the needs of teachers firsthand. Warner’s philosophy in developing Edushare.ing reflects a strong commitment to supporting the teaching community. The platform operates on a non-profit, ad-free model, ensuring that educators can use it without distractions or financial burden. Additionally, Edushare.ing promises link longevity and reliability, meaning that shared resources will remain accessible over time.

Of course, you can easily share links with students through Canvas, Classwize, or Clever, but if you find yourself needing a shortened URL Edushare.ing might be a good option.

Teaching in the Age of AI: Demystifying AI

demystifying ai, teaching in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present reality. As educators, we have a responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate this AI-driven world. Google’s Gemini (available in the Waffle and tied to your work account) can be a powerful tool in this endeavor, offering unique opportunities for hands-on, engaging learning experiences.

Here’s how you can leverage Gemini as a teacher to teach your students about AI, its capabilities, and its limitations:

1. The “FrankenBot” Activity: Understanding AI Composition & Human Refinement

Concept: Explore how AI generates text and how human editing and selection can improve it.
Activity:
- Use Gemini to generate multiple variations of a writing assignment.
- Provide students with a “Frankenbot” template, with each version copied into the document.
- Students analyze each Gemini-generated example, selecting the strongest sentences or phrases from each to piece together their “perfect” piece.
- Use Matt Miller’s template for this activity. Frankenbot Template – Ditch That Textbook
Learning Outcome: Students learn that AI can generate content, but human critical thinking is essential for quality and coherence. They also understand that AI can produce useful components, but not always a perfect finished product.

2. AI Rating & Ranking: Critical Evaluation & Understanding AI Variability

Concept: Develop critical evaluation skills and recognize the variability of AI-generated content.
Activity:
- Use Gemini to generate multiple examples of a specific type of content (e.g., poems, short stories, summaries). You can even prompt it to create “good, better, best” examples.
- Create a rubric with clear criteria (e.g., creativity, accuracy, clarity).
- Have students individually rate and rank the AI-generated examples based on the rubric.
- Facilitate a class discussion about their ratings, highlighting the differences in AI output and the subjective nature of evaluation.
Learning Outcome: Students learn to critically assess AI-generated content, recognizing its strengths and weaknesses. They understand that AI output can vary significantly, and that human judgment plays a crucial role in evaluation.

3. “Beat Gemini”: Creative Problem Solving & Human Enhancement

—See some more specific ideas for each grade level and multiple subject areas from Blue Apple Teacher.

Concept: Encourage creative thinking and explore how humans can improve on AI-generated work.
Activity:
- Use Gemini to generate a piece of content (e.g., a story, a musical phrase, a visual description).
- Challenge students to “Beat Gemini” by improving upon the AI’s work. This could involve:
  - Adding more detail or emotional depth to a story.
  - Expanding on a musical phrase with their own composition.
  - Creating a visual representation of a descriptive passage.
- Have open discussions about what methods the students used to improve the AI work.
Learning Outcome: Students discover that AI can be a starting point for creative exploration, but human creativity and ingenuity are essential for pushing boundaries and adding unique perspectives. They will learn to identify the limitations of AI generated work, and how they can improve it.

Key Takeaways:

Demystifying AI: These activities help students understand that AI is a tool with capabilities and limitations, not a magical entity.
Critical Thinking: Students develop essential critical thinking skills by analyzing, evaluating, and refining AI-generated content.
Human Creativity: By “beating” AI, students recognize the unique value of human creativity and problem-solving.
Ethical Considerations: Discussions surrounding AI-generated work should always include ethical considerations, such as bias, plagiarism, and responsible use.

By incorporating Gemini into your lessons, you can empower your students to become informed and critical thinkers about the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence

Quiz Whiz: Boost Learning with Online Platforms & Fast Feedback

EduTip: give lots of quizzes

Are you looking for ways to make learning more effective and engaging for your K-12 students? Frequent quizzing is a powerful learning strategy. Research indicates that regular testing enhances information retention compared to other review methods like re-reading or note-taking. Recently, Jennifer Gonzalez from the Cult of Pedagogy podcast highlighted these findings in her EduTips series. Find it here.

The Power of Quizzing. Regular quizzes can significantly improve student performance and long-term memory. One study showed that students scored 10% higher on material they were tested on versus material they only re-read. Quizzes encourage retrieval practice, which strengthens memory connections, even if students answer incorrectly.

Low-Stakes Quizzes. Aim for low-stakes or ungraded quizzes to reduce student anxiety. Use the results to inform your teaching and adjust your lessons accordingly, focusing on learning rather than penalizing.

The Fast and the Curious EduProtocol. This method, detailed in “The EduProtocol Field Guide” by Marlena Hebern and Jon Corippo, provides timely feedback and encourages repetition for better results. This strategy recommends quizzing students on new material, giving a mini-lesson on the questions most missed, and have them take the quiz again for immediate growth and retrieval practice. Continue offering at least one rep of the quiz throughout the week until you get most of the class at mastery.

recipe for fast & curious eduprotocol

Online Quizzing Platforms. Integrate platforms like Gimkit, Blooket, and Quizizz with the Fast and the Curious EduProtocol. There are many platforms out there, reach out to a TIS to see which one may be the best fit for your goals. Here’s how it works:

Administer a quick game and review the results.
Offer a brief re-teach or mini-lesson focusing on areas where students struggled.
Immediately replay the game.
Repeat this process over a few days.

Emphasize Repetition. Repetition is crucial. The goal is to achieve 95% proficiency, adjusting the timeline based on the difficulty of the material. As Jon Corippo notes, repeated practice, like shooting a three-point shot in basketball, is essential for mastery.

Communicate with Students. Share the benefits of quizzing with your students. By understanding how quizzes help their brains learn, they’ll be more receptive to this learning method.

By incorporating frequent, low-stakes quizzes and innovative methods like the Fast and the Curious EduProtocol, you can transform your classroom into a more engaging and effective learning environment.